Baseball games



May 12, 1959 R. s. HENDERSON 2,886,319

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ROB-ERT S.HENDERSON- ATTORNEY.

7 HRE y 12, 1959 R. s. HENDERSON 2,886,319

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ATTORNEY y 1959 R. SI'HENDERSON 2,886,319

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ROBERT $.HENDERSON ATTORNEY.

United States Patent BASEBALL GAMES Robert S. Henderson, Woodbury, NJ.

Application July 21, 1954, Serial No. 444,741

2 Claims. ('Cl. 273-93) This invention relates to educational games, and more particularly to a table game closely simulating baseball.

Games relating to baseball generally depend almost entirely upon factors of chance which is unrealistic to the regulation sport of baseball. The present invention seeks to introduce factors of judgment and to limit the elements of chance to those closely corresponding to the fortune of the actual game itself, and is directed to a game wherein the two teams alternately act as the game progresses with the element of chance and judgment determining the plays and results for both teams in a manner closely simulating the real game, so that a game is provided in which those somewhat familiar with the regulation game will have a ready understanding of the simulated game, and an enhanced interest therein as a result.

An object of the invention is to provide an educational game simulating regulation baseball in substantially all aspects. 7

Another object of the invention is to provide such a game in which judgment and skill may be exercised by both teams as the game progresses, much the same as in regulation baseball.

A still further object of the invention is to provide such a game which in its play will follow substantially all of the rules of regulation baseball, and in which the fortune of the players is closely weighted to correspond to experience in the regulation game.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a game in which the varying batting ability of mythical or real players are taken into account and compensated for by the fielding team.

The above and other novel features of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is expressly understood that the drawings are employed for purposes of illustration only and are not designed as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being had for this purpose to the appended claims.

-In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts:

Figure l is a plan view of a game board according to one form of the invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of a series of cards used by the pitcher in playing the game;

Figure 3 is a plan view of a representative card of a series of cards, to establish the record of each batter, used in one form of the game; v

Figure 4 is a plan view of an infield mobile transparent element used in one form of the game;

Figure 5 is a plan view of an outfield mobile transparent element used in one form of the game;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a marker used in the game;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of another marker used in the game to denote a-ball;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of another marker ;.'used in the game to denote a strike;

2,886,319 Patented May 12, 1959 ICC 1 Figure 9 is a perspective view of a pair of dice employed in the game; and

Figure 10 is a fragmentary enlargement of a portion of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly Figure 1, there is shown a game board having thereon a playing field 112, in one corner of which is located a baseball diamond 114, having a home plate 116, first base 118, second base 120, third base 122, and a pitchers box 124. Also is shown the first base line 126, the third base line 128, which defines the fair ball area. An outer boundary is shown formed by the lines 129 and 131, such outer boundary completing a square. In practice the outer boundary may be a curved line or any boundary desired, such boundary varying with various professional fields.

Located in the field are concentric circular areas for the pitcher, first baseman, second baseman, short stop and third baseman, each of said circular areas being indicated by the reference characters 130, 132, and 134; 136, 138 and 140; 142, 144 and 146; 148, 150, and 152; and 154, 156 and 158 respectively. The areas represent the approximate field area to which each of the respective players can render effective plays, the areas 136, 142, 148 and 154 and the corresponding larger areas being all of the same size since, each of the players are located about the same distance from the batsman, and will therefore have a certain limited time to move into position to deal with a particular type of batted ball. The circular areas representing the pitchers sphere of operations are somewhat smaller, it being understood that the pitcher, being closer to the batsman, has less time to maneuver after the ball is struck.

The right fielder, center fielder and left fielder also have similar concentric circular areas, of larger diameter because of their greater distance from the home plate, such areas being indicated by the reference characters 160, 162 and 164; 166, 168 and 170 and 172, 174, and 176 respectively.

There is shown also a square area 178, the diagonal of which is the line between the pitchers box and the home plate, which area is subdivided into six areas numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, and representsthe portion of the field in which bunts would be played, the number of areas indicated corresponding to the six faces of a die which maybe of the usual type having from 1 to 6 spots, or having faces numbered from 1-6. Flanking the first and third base lines 126 and 128 are foul fiy areas 180, 182 and 184; and 186, 188 and 190 respectively, and foul fly areas in the right and left stands, 192 and 194 respectively. 1

The field is marked OE With direction dotted lines such as 195 radiating from the home plate, which lines intersect dotted distance lines suchas 197 extending into the field at right angles to the first and third base lines 126 and 128, said distance lines meeting and terminating'at the center of the field between the center two radiating direction lines. The number of radiating lines are 36, and are numbered as shown from third base line 128 to the first base line 126, the numbers being a series of all of the two digit numbers formed from the digits 1-6 inclusive, for example, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22,23, 24,25, 26 31, ,etc. to 66, so that on they sequential roll of two dice, a two digit number is obtained which sets the direction or the part of the field to which a batted ball is hit.

The distance lines are 2115036 in number and are preferably equally spaced and numbered with two-digits composed of the digits l-6 inclusive, or from 11 to 66 as indicated. along the first and third base lines 126 and 128.

to determine a two digit number which will represent the distanceor power of the drive, and'the location af'v'vhich 3 the batted ball will come to rest. If the batted ball is determined, as for example to be a fly ball, and drops within for example the circular area of a fielder, the ball is considered caught.

Between the distance lines corresponding to the numbers 46 and 51 and also 56 and 61, are lines 196 and 198 dividing the fielding area into a single base hit area, for distances not exceeding 46, a two base hit area for distances exceeding 46 but not exceeding 56, and a three base hit area for distances exceeding 56, it being understood that any hit exceeding 63 in distance, which is beyond the boundary lines 129 and 131 qualifies as a home run.

Below the home plate 116 is a strike zone 200 constituted by a rectangular frame having 9 rectangular subdivisions numbered 19 inclusive. The frame in elfect may represent an imaginary vertical section in the plane of the batter at the home plate through which pitched balls are thrown. A ball pitched'through the center subdivision numbered is over the plate, and at the correct height and is a strike, since the pitched ball is properly directed. If the ball were to pass through any one of the surrounding subdivisions 1-4 and 6-9, the pitch would be a ball, or dependent on the action of the batter, a strike or foul ball.

The pitcher of the fielding team is provided with nine cards as shown in Figure 2, each of such cards 202, hearing a number 1 to 9 on one face, and being blank on the other, and before the ball is pitched, the pitcher selects one of said cards and lays it face down, undisclosed to the team at bat. The batsman as will appear hereinafter, may attempt to guess the pitch or may pass, and whether a pass or a correct or incorrect guess is made, affects the manner of determining the results of the pitch.

Since batsmen differ widely in their batting ability, some being noted for heavy hitting, and others noted for their tendency to hit to the left, or to the right, or to fly, one form of the game recognizes these variable, and provides for the fielding team to shift their areas of operation to compensate for such known tendencies of any particular batter.

For this purpose, individual cards 204, for example as shown in Figure 3, are provided for each of the batsmen of each team, each card being numbered to correspond to each batter and being provided with a fictitious name. Such cards on one face are subdivided into 9 areas, numbered 1-9 inclusive to correspond to the subdivisions of like number in the strike zone 200 and the pitchers card 202. Each of the subdivisions may be further provided with three spaces in which are inserted modifying corrective or handicap numbers for the particular individual. For example, in the card illustrated, the batsman bearing number 41 is known to have certain tendencies, when a ball is pitched in the subdivision area 1, a high ball to the left of the home base, which area corresponds to the #1 card 202 selected by pitcher. The batsman is entitled to a hit should he guess subdivision 1 or a fair ball if he guesses subdivisions 2 or 4, which are horizontally or vertically adjacent to area #1, and as will hereinafter appear, the nature of the hit will be determined by the batters roll of a die, to be a fiy, if he rolls 1 or 2, a line drive if 3 or 4 and a ground ball if 5 or 6, such numbers being set forth in the chart designated by the reference character 210.

The upper space having the corrective number +1, for such batter will be added to whatever number is rolled, thus characterizing the batter as one who ordinarily has one chance in six of hitting a fly, two chances in six of hitting a line drive, and three chances out of six for hitting a ground ball. If the corrective number be zero, in that case the batter would have the normal two chances in six of hitting a fly. If the number be 1, in that case there are three chances of a fly, and only one chance of a ground ball.

When it is determined that a fly, a ground ball or line drive has been struck, the sequential roll of two dice determines the direction. The corrective number will 4 be effective to change the direction from, for example line 24, if the 2 and 4 were rolled in that order, to 42, which is the tenth line higher and the direction will thereby be shifted by a corresponding amount, bringing the direction of flight somewhat to the right of center field or line 42.

The third corrective number for example, for the particular batsman shown as 6, will reduce the distance indicated by the second roll of two dice for determining distance, the distance being reduced by moving toward home base 6 lines. Thus if on the roll, a 34 was obtained, the corrected number would be 24. The corrective number having to do with distance could be +10 for example, which would reflect the heavy hitting record of a particular batsman and any roll of 46 or greater would result in a home run.

Different corrective factors will be similarly applied to the other subdivisions in the batsmans cards, if desired, or some or all may be left blank. The cards for the individual batsman will bear the name and number of the batsman onthe reverse side, which side will be exposed to the pitcher, who may thereby be guided according to his memory in selecting the pitch number card 202.

The pitcher or manager of the fielding team may also compensate for the tendencies of any batter whose propensities are known to him by shifting the fielders positions in the field as each man takes his position at bat. For this purpose four transparent circular area markers, corresponding to those inscribed on the board for the first, second and third basemen and the shortstop, and three corresponding to the right, center and left fielders are provided as shown at 207 and 209, in Figures 4 and 5 respectively.

Such markers may be shifted in the field by the manager of the fielding team to compensate for the recollected idiosyncrasies of the man at bat, the fielding team being given the benefit of the name of the batter, but having to rely on memory for the batters characteristics. Where such mobile discs are employed, the imprinted circular areas on the board are disregarded. In practice, the pitchers circular area remains fixed, since the pitcher is confined to the pitchers box when the pitch is made.

Should the manager of the team at bat call for a try for a hunt, and a fair ball results, the batter makes a single throw of a die to detelrnine the particular subdivision of the hunting area into which the ball is struck. Whether the batter is put out or reaches first base is determined by the field team throwing a single die. The chart 212, shows the number required to be thrown to effect aput out for the particular bunting subdivision. If the required number or higher is thrown, an out is scored. For example, if the bunt places the ball in subdivisions 1 or 4 of the hunt area, a throw of 6 will be required for a put out, but if the ball ends up in subdivisions 2 and 3, just forward of the pitcher, a roll of 4 or any number higher, that is 5 or 6 will effect a put out. Similarly if the bunted ball ends in areas 5 or 6, a roll of a 5 or 6 will be required for a put out.

When the pitcher selects a card 202 and the batter guesses the number, a hit is scored, and the batter is given a one, two or three base hit, or a home run, depending on the number selected by the pitcher, in accordance with the chart indicated by the reference character 214. If the selected pitch was 1, 3, 7, or 9, and the batter guesses the number correctly, a one base hit is had, while for example, if the number 5 was selected, and the batter guesses correctly, a home run is scored.

If the pitcher selects a number, and the batter guesses a number which lies immediately to the right, left, above or below, as for example if the selected number is 5, and the batter guesses 2, or 4, or 6 or 8, then a fair ball is scored.

Briefly, when a man is at bat, the pitcher selects a card, 202 and lays it face down. The batter may then pass or he may attempt to guess the number of the card.

If the batter refuses to' guess, and therefore passes and the card when turned up is 5, a strike is called. If the card is 2, 4, 6 or 8, the pitcher rolls one die following which the batter rolls one die. The one rolling the higher number has the play called in his favor, with a tie favoring the batter. The result will be scored a strike or ball. If the card selected by the pitcher is l, 3, 7 or 9, the pitcher and batter must each roll twice, and the pitcher must exceed the batters roll both times to call a strike, otherwise the pitch is a ball.

If the batter attempts a guess (tantamount to a strike at the ball), and guesses correctly, then chart 214 applies; if the batter guesses a number adjacent vertically or horizontally to the pitchers selected number, then the batter rolls to see what the hit is according to chart 210, but the roll is modified by the correction factor K, if any, on the particular batters card, for the space or area numbered on such card corresponding to selected card 202.

If a fly ball is indicated, the direction and distance is determined by successive rolls of the two dice twice. The direction as indicated by the first sequential roll and distance as indicated by the second sequential roll, so determined is modified by the factors D and P on the batters card, if such modification be indicated, and if the hit lands within the outer circle of any fielder or the pitcher, a fly ball is scored for an out. If it lands outside all circles, it is a one, two or three base hit, or home run depending on the area of the field in which it falls, as set out by lines 196, 198, and 129 and 131. If the direction roll, as modified by the batters card places the direction outside one of the base lines, that is below 11 or above 66, it goes into one of the foul areas. If the distance roll :was at 22 or less, the ball has fallen in foul area 180 or 186 and the batter is out. If the distance roll was 2343 inclusive, the ball falls in the foul areas 182 or 188. In such areas 182 or 188, the pitcher will roll a die, and if 4 or higher is rolled the foul fly is considered caught, for an out, otherwise it is a foul ball. If the roll is 44 or more, the foul is directed to areas 184 and 190 where it cannot be caught, and therefore is scored as a foul ball.

If a line drive is hit, direction and distance is determined as before, which may be also modified by the batters card. If the drive ends in or passes through the center circle and ends within the outer circle of any baseman or fielder, or the pitcher, it is considered caught and the batter isout. The direction roll may be so modified by the batters card as to be a foul, and then the determination is as in the case of a foul that cannot be caught.

If a ground ball is hit, and its direction and distance is such as to reach or pass through the intermediate circle of any field player or the pitcher, it is considered as intercepted by that player whose area it passes through first. Reference is then had to chart 216 to determine, by a roll of one die by the fielding team whether an out is scored. If a one base hit is made, and the bases are unoccupied, the out will have to be made at first base. If the batters distance roll was 36 or less, the grounder is considered a slow ball, and the pitcher, first baseman, second baseman or short stop, or third baseman, will have to roll 3, 5, 4 or 4 respectively or higher to score an out. If the batters distance was 41 or more, a fast ball is indicated and the respective rolls vwill be 2, 4, 3 or 3 or higher, for the respective infield players for a put out. If a runner is being forced to second or third or home by the batters 1 base hit, the out can be made at any base to which a runner is being forced or at first base, by the field team declaring before the roll, as to where the out is to be tried for.

If there is a chance for a double play, whether a second out is scored is determined by chart 218. For a double play, the ground ball must have a distance of 41 or more and have passed through the inner circle of the pitcher or an infielder. Where such is the case, the farthest advanced runner is automatically out. By reference to the chart 218, the infield or pitcher who fields the ball, will have made the automatic out, at second base, third base, or home base, and the degree of chance that the second out can be made varies with what player fields the ball and where the first out was made. The variation in chance is set out in chart 218. To determine whether the second out is made, the manager of the fielding team rolls a single die, and if the number required by the chart for the particular circumstances or a higher number results, the second out is scored. For example if the second baseman or short stop fields the ball, and the first out was made at second base, a roll of 4 or higher will score the second out. If the double play is successful, the furthest advanced runner, and the batter are declared out.

The batting team may call for a stolen base or bases before any pitch, and if the pitch proves to be a ball or a strike, the manager of the field team will declare an attempt to put out a designated runner, and will roll a single die, and if 3 or better results, the designated runner is declared out, but if two or more runners were stealing bases, the other runner or runners will be safe in any event.

On any hit, the coach of the batting team may call for an extra base for any runner or runners provided the base for which the try is to be made is unoccupied or will be vacated on the play, the coach specifying the runner or runners. The field team shall then declare if more than one runner, as to which runner a try for an out is to be made, and then roll a single die. A chart 220, sets forth the number or higher which must be rolled for a put out. For example, on a one base hit, and the batter tries for second base, a roll of 2 or better results in an out. If, for example a runner is on second when a one base hit is made, and such runner tries for home base, a 4 or better will efiect an out.

Whenever a safe hit is made, all men on bases will be advanced a corresponding number of bases with safety.

Should the batter throw consecutive doubles in determining the direction and distance, an error will be scored against the fielding team, and all runners will bedeclared safe, and will advance one extra base. In such event the batters corrective numbers as shown on the batters card 204 will be disregarded.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that by using the mobile transparent fielders circles 207 and 209, and the batters card 204, two teams or two players are confronted with substantially all the problems of teams in the actual play of an oflicial game, and the elements left to chance,

as by the throw of a die or dice, simulate closely those elements in the actual game which are a result of a players good or bad fortune. The game may be employed by actual teams for practice purposes in ofl. hours, with batting cards prepared to tally with the records of actual players of a real team.

Where such mobile circles are employed, a special board may be prepared without the fixed circles 176, but if such special board is not desirable, such inscribed circles are disregarded in the play in favor of the mobile transparent discs 207 and 209.

The game may be played either with the mobile circles or the circles inscribed on the board and with or without the cards 204, and in either case the rules are essentially the same.

To facilitate the playing of the game, a plurality of small token markers of a color such as yellow, and as indicated at 230 in Figure 6, will be provided, which will represent the batting team, and such markers may be placed at the home plate, or on the bases to represent runners. When a run is scored, or an out made, the token for such runner may be placed in the appropriate box of the score board 232 provided to indicate the runs made, and when each team retires, the score may be marked.

If an out is made, the token may be placed in the out box 234, to keep track of the outs during the inning. Red and green token markers 236 and 238, Figures 7 and 8, will also be provided to indicate strikes and balls respectively and will be placed in the box 240 labelled strikes and balls as they are called. As soon as a player has hit a fair ball, or has been retired, the box 240 is cleared for the next player at bat.

As Will be readily recognized by those versed in regulation baseball, the game with its system of throws whereby the possible success of various plays is graduated and determined in accordance with known experience in the regulation game, is one which will be readily recognized as attractive to experts. The game in any one of its modifications can be played by two persons or by two groups of persons who may act as teams. In the latter case, each group will elect a captain, coach or manager who may direct the plays, toss to determine which team is at bat first, and decide whether five or nine innings are to be played. It will be understood that if the score is tied at the end of the last inning, extra innings will be played to break the tie.

In fact, the playing of the game might well assist real teams in familiarizing themselves with opponent teams, in which case the batter cards 204 will be conformed to refleet the idiosyncrasies of real players when at bat. In playing the game, the standard rules of regulation baseball will apply in almost every instance, except in specific situations which have of necessity been modified as hereinabove indicated.

Although several embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. As various changes in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, reference will be had to the appended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A game board having the representation of a base ball field thereon having a home base, first and third base lines diverging therefrom and terminating in an outer boundary line connecting said base lines, a plurality of direction lines radiating from said home base substantially uniformly angularly spaced between said base lines, and a plurality of distance lines crossing said radiating lines and extending from one base line to the other, and being substantially uniformly spaced between said home base and outer boundary, each of said direction lines having indicia associated therewith for identifying each of said direction lines from the other direction lines, and each of said distance lines having indicia associated therewith for identifying each of said distance lines from the other distance lines, chance means for determining any one of said direction and distance line indicia whereby to determine a direction line and a distance line to locate the terminal point of travel of a struck ball, and a plurality of mobile transparent discs of an area adapted to be placed on the field to represent a fielders coverage in respect to a struck ball whereby to determine the play of a struck ball the travel of which is determined to terminate within the area of a disc.

2. A game board having the representation of a base ball field thereon having a home base, first and third base lines diverging therefrom and terminating in an outer boundary line connecting said base lines, a plurality of direction lines radiating from said home base substantially uniformly angularly spaced between said base lines, and a plurality of distance lines crossing said radiating lines and extending from one base line to the other, and being substantially uniformly spaced between said home base and outer boundary, each of said direction lines having indicia associated therewith for identifying each of said direction lines from the other direction lines, and each of said distance lines having indicia associated therewith for identifying each of said distance lines from the other distance lines, chance means for determining any one of said direction and distance line indicia whereby to determine a direction line and a distance line to locate the terminal point of travel of a struck ball, at least one mobile transparent disc of an area adapted to be placed on the field to represent a fielders coverage in respect to a struck ball whereby to determine the play of a struck ball the travel of which is determined to terminate within the area of a disc, and a plurality of cards each identifying a mythical man at hat on both faces thereof and having on one face thereof information respecting batting direction and distance, said information being adapted to modify the direction and distance as determined by said chance means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,084,618 Elliott Jan. 20, 1914 1,324,037 Tamble Dec. 9, 1919 1,458,275 Cossitt June 12, 1923 1,532,066 OConnor Mar. 31, 1925 1,536,639 Van Beek May 5, 1925 1,672,478 Wible June 5, 1928 

